Birthday honors for friend of police and fire

Sunday

Mar 9, 2014 at 12:15 AM

By Brian BensonDaily News Staff

FRAMINGHAM – For about four decades, Norman Dean has been a fixture in the Natick and Framingham emergency services community, whether stopping to visit police officers or calling them on the phone to cheer them up after a tough day.He’s ridden in a police car in July Fourth parades, led roll call and eaten countless meals with officers."I love spending time with them," Dean said, adding he enjoys having "a lot of friends."Dean, who lives in Framingham and is mentally challenged, celebrated his 60th birthday Friday at O’Connell’s on Rte. 9 with more than 150 first responders, family and other friends.Dean said he likes to make sure the officers do their job and keeps track of their shifts. The relationship began about four decades ago when a Natick officer happened to move across the street from Dean."My brother, with his love of police and fire departments, was so happy to meet him," said Dean’s sister, Lynne Munroe. "The next thing you know, he was bringing my brother down to the police station….It just grew and grew."Retired Natick Officer Mike O’Neil forged this relationship, which he said has benefited the officers and Dean.Munroe said Dean thinks of first responders as family. And, officers said Dean's friendly, caring attitude brightens even their darkest days.Former Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl said Dean will often reach out after a tough incident and offer words of encouragement to police."He makes your day, even when you’re having a bad day," said Natick Sgt. Bob Dunlop.Earlier Friday, Dean led roll call for Framingham police, reading off the department’s log where each officer was assigned for that day.He left the officers with one message, Officer Mike Donnelly recalled."Just be safe."Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.

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